This verse, from 1 Maccabees 12:16, describes a diplomatic mission sent by the Jewish people (specifically, the Maccabees and their followers) to Rome. Let's break it down:
"We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason..." This indicates that a group of people (presumably leaders of the Jewish community) selected two individuals: Numenius (son of Antiochus) and Antipater (son of Jason) to be their representatives. These men were chosen to undertake a special task.
"...and have sent them to the Romans..." The chosen representatives, Numenius and Antipater, were dispatched to Rome. This highlights the importance of Rome as a powerful entity and a potential ally.
"...to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former confederacy." The purpose of this mission was to re-establish and strengthen the existing relationship with the Romans. The Jewish people aimed to:
"Renew the friendship": To reaffirm and revitalize the amicable relationship they had previously enjoyed with Rome.
"The former confederacy": To re-establish the treaty or alliance that had existed between the Jewish people and the Romans in the past. This implies that there was a formal agreement in place before, which perhaps had weakened or needed reaffirmation.
In essence, the verse shows the Jewish people, under the Maccabees, taking strategic action to secure their position and independence by seeking support and alliance with the powerful Roman Republic. By sending these emissaries to renew their existing agreement, they hoped to gain Roman favor and protection against their enemies (primarily the Seleucid Empire, which was ruling over them).
This verse, from 1 Maccabees 12:16, describes a diplomatic mission sent by the Jewish people (specifically, the Maccabees and their followers) to Rome. Let's break it down:
"We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason..." This indicates that a group of people (presumably leaders of the Jewish community) selected two individuals: Numenius (son of Antiochus) and Antipater (son of Jason) to be their representatives. These men were chosen to undertake a special task.
"...and have sent them to the Romans..." The chosen representatives, Numenius and Antipater, were dispatched to Rome. This highlights the importance of Rome as a powerful entity and a potential ally.
"...to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former confederacy." The purpose of this mission was to re-establish and strengthen the existing relationship with the Romans. The Jewish people aimed to:
"Renew the friendship": To reaffirm and revitalize the amicable relationship they had previously enjoyed with Rome.
"The former confederacy": To re-establish the treaty or alliance that had existed between the Jewish people and the Romans in the past. This implies that there was a formal agreement in place before, which perhaps had weakened or needed reaffirmation.
In essence, the verse shows the Jewish people, under the Maccabees, taking strategic action to secure their position and independence by seeking support and alliance with the powerful Roman Republic. By sending these emissaries to renew their existing agreement, they hoped to gain Roman favor and protection against their enemies (primarily the Seleucid Empire, which was ruling over them).
